Italy tourist CRACKDOWN: Florence to FINE ‘uneducated visitors’ for eating on the streets

FLORENCE is cracking down on the filthy habits of tourists by introducing fines of up to £451.72 (€500) for anyone caught eating takeaway food while squatted on the pavement or the doorsteps of shops and houses on its iconic central streets.

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Right now residents cannot get into their houses because of the tourists eating on their doorsteps

Dario Nardella

The regulation applies only to Via de’ Neri, a busy street famous for its delicatessen and food stores, and the surrounding areas, including the road leading to worldwide famous Uffizi Gallery, as stated by the city council’s ordinance.

It read: “It is forbidden to consume food stopping on sidewalks, shops and houses’ doorsteps and streets.”

The ruling, in force only during lunchtime and in the evenings, highlights how residents have urged for “the intervention of police officers to keep the area liveable”.

Mr Nardella added: “Right now residents cannot get into their houses because of the tourists eating on their doorsteps.”

Tourists in Florence will be fined if caught eating food sitting on the pavement (Image: GETTY)

This means tourists will have to walk while eating or move to areas where the ban is not valid if they don’t want to receive a fine ranging between £135 and £451.

The new ruling, which will remain in force until January 6, comes after a local shopkeeper was beaten by Spanish tourists after he demanded them to stop picnicking at the entrance to his store.

And it has been welcomed even by the person who has involuntary helped fuel with his food the rude behaviour of tourists - Tommaso Mazzanti, the owner of the Antico Vinaio, the most famous food store of Via de’ Neri and one of the best reviewed in the world on TripAdvisor.

But he also complained about the lack of public benches that would provide a better space for tourists to consume their takeaway meals.